Part 13 (1/2)
CHAPTER X
SON AND FATHER
When the Colonel had greeted Elena at breakfast next morning he quietly asked:
”You met Norman?”
”Yes.”
”I shall be glad to see him when he comes.”
Elena threw her arms impulsively around his neck.
”Now you're a darling! Now you're big and strong and good and great again--and I love you.”
The Colonel stroked her hair slowly, and asked with a smile:
”What time is he coming?”
”He's not coming.” Elena laughed.
”Not coming?” the colonel repeated blankly.
”No. You're going to see him.”
”Indeed!”
”You see, Guardie, he is a chip off the old block.”
”It begins to look like he's the whole block,” the Colonel remarked, dryly.
”Can you blame him after the way you acted?”
”I can't say I do, much. I like a boy of spirit----”
”And individuality--that's your own pet idea Guardie.”
The Colonel was silent a moment.
”Yes. I like his grit. Where will I find him?”
”At his desk at work in the newspaper office.”
”I'll call him up and make an appointment.”
The Colonel seized the telephone, called the newspaper office, and asked for Norman. He waited for several minutes before any one reached the 'phone. He scarcely recognized the short, sharp business accent of Norman's voice:
”Well, well, what is it?”